1.
From the runway to your local retailer, fashion designers (and lovers) definitely made themselves heard this past year. Take a look back at the biggest style controversies of 2013:

PETA sent a graphic video from their angora factory investigation to major retailers who sell the soft rabbit fur, pleading with them to drop the fiber from their collections. And more than a few big companies, like H&M, Topshop and Esprit, have since ceased production of angora products.

"As of Nov. 27, H&M stopped all production of angora products until we have secured that our strict product policy is being followed," a spokesperson for the U.K.-based retailer e-mailed TODAY.com in a statement on Dec. 17, adding that customers who have purchased angora products can return them for a full refund.
Getty Images, TOPSHOP

2.
Against a lavish backdrop of floating lotus blossoms and a Shinto shrine, Katy Perry, 29, performed the AMAs opening act on Nov. 24 in powdery white makeup and a cleavage-baring kimono. Fan-wielding dancers fluttered across the stage, as some glided through the air with colorful umbrellas.

The number triggered a flurry of tweets from viewers, many of whom accused Perry of appropriating Japanese culture and perpetuating harmful stereotypes of Asian women.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images

3.
In March 2013, Lululemon Athletica’s too-sheer yoga pants transformed some women’s workouts into unintentional peep shows. The company fielded complaints, both about fabric that snags and pills easily and about customer service. The company shared a statement about those issues with NBCNews.com in early Nov.

"Quality is of utmost importance to us," the statement said. "If any guest is experiencing an issue with their product that they believe to be related to quality, we encourage them to visit their local store or call our Guest Education Center so we can make it right."
Getty Images; Reuters

4.
On Sept. 15, Miss New York, Syracuse native Nina Davuluri, won the Miss America crown, and as soon as she did, Twitter lit up with comments suggesting she was an Arab, a foreigner, and a terrorist with ties to Al Qaeda.

"I have to rise above that," she said, according to the AP. "I always viewed myself as first and foremost American."
Lucas Jackson / Reuters

5.
On Aug. 15, "Watch What Happens Live" star Andy Cohen told his friend and Miss Universe pageant co-host of the past two years, E! News' Giuliana Rancic, that he turned the hosting gig down because he's "concerned for his safety."

"The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested," he told Rancic, adding that he "didn't feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia."
David Becker / Getty Images

6.
Fashioner retailer H&M pulled a faux feather headdress from its American stores, following the same move by the chain’s Canadian stores that was prompted by complaints that the colorful hair piece was offensive to native tribal culture.

The U.S. stores were told to stop selling the item, H&M spokeswoman Marybeth Schmitt told TODAY.com on Aug. 12.

“We received three complaints about the item and we always want to listen to our customers and their feedback,” said Emily Scarlett, an H&M spokeswoman for Canada. “Because our intention was never to offend anyone, we chose to remove it from our shelves.”
Kim Wheeler / CTV

7.
Newlywed Natasha Samuel poured gasoline on her dress and set it on fire – while still wearing it.

Israeli photographer Erik Simantov captured the stunt in May on video, as well as in a series of photographs. He told TODAY.com that the photo shoot was part of the “trash the dress” trend, in which brides destroy theirs gown and it’s all caught on camera.

He knows that others, particularly Americans, have been skeptical and even critical of the idea. “They think about fire in a different way from us,” he said. “I know it’s dangerous, but most of the people like this photo.”
Erik Simantov

8.
A crocodile T-shirt from Hermes (purveyor of handbags with price tags that regularly creep into the quadruple digits) was selling for whopping $91,500 at the brand’s Madison Avenue flagship store in March 2013.

At time of publication, Hermes had not responded to TODAY.com’s request for comment, but a Hermes store associate told Fashionista.com that this line of shirts featuring “innovative” technology runs in the $60,000 to $100,000 range.
TODAY

9.
In a March 2013 interview with The New York Times, designer Vivienne Westwood – while discussing her “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibition at the New York Metropolitan Museum – took a few jabs at Michelle Obama’s wardrobe choices. "It’s dreadful what she wears," the designer said.

The response, as expected, was less than forgiving, with readers calling Westwood a “very bitter and mean person,” “irrelevant” and even suggesting "someone’s in a snit because their clothes aren't being worn.”
Rick Wilking / Reuters

10.
While walking the 2013 Oscars red carpet in Feb., 22-year-old actress Jennifer Lawrence was shown photos from the 2013 Spring/Summer Dior ad campaign for the first time and remarked that they looked nothing like her.

“Oh my God I haven’t seen this,’’ she told Access Hollywood. “That doesn’t look like me at all. I love Photoshop more than anything in the world.’’
Dior

11.
In Feb., Skechers revealed their latest tween collection, called "Daddy's Money", and the marketing campaign for the sneaker wedges boasted the tagline: "Get spoiled with Daddy's money, ultra cool shoes that will put you in the spotlight with a dose of swag and a 2-inch hidden wedge."

As expected, moms weren't too pleased about a new ad targeting tweens – one that puts undue pressure on dads' credit cards.
Zappos

12.
After many criticized the pale pink dress Anne Hathaway wore to the Academy Awards – largely due to its unfortunately-placed darts – there was still the issue of why the actress wasn't wearing her go-to designer, Valentino. To many, it felt like a snub, especially as Valentino's design house sent out a press release stating it was indeed dressing the "Les Miserables" star prior to the event.

The A-lister felt prompted to release an official apology. "It came to my attention late Saturday night that there would be a dress worn to the Oscars that is remarkably similar to the Valentino I had intended to wear, and so I decided it was best for all involved to change my plans," the actress said in a statement, according to PEOPLE magazine.
John Shearer / AP

13.
The Iranian Fars News Agency restricted first lady Michelle Obama's right to bare arms following her appearance at the Academy Awards by digitally altering her dress in an online report about the event. Obama's shoulder-baring Oscars dress became one with sleeves covering her shoulders and upper arms in the report.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images

14.
When Vogue decided to pay tribute to the heroes of Hurricane Sandy in its Feb. 2013 issue, the magazine took a distinctly high-fashion approach: sticking supermodels in a set of stormy scenes alongside real first responders.

But the glossy photos left a bad taste in some critics' mouths, coming off as insensitive or offensive.
Vogue

15.
German designer Phillipp Plein sent weapon-wielding models down his Autumn/Winter 2013 show during Milan Menswear Fashion Week on Jan. 14, 2013. The tattooed, menacing-looking strutters carried automatic weapons, wore gas masks, and were even body-painted with slogans such as "ONLY KILL FOR LOVE" and "LIFE'S A GAME AND IT'S NOT FAIR."

Several outlets and fashion fans said Plein's latest shock factor show wasn't appreciated. "Fashion proved (once again) how painfully out of touch it can be with the rest of the world," wrote New York magazine reporter Hilary Moss.
Tullio M. Puglia / Getty Images